One vote for snow

This weekend was absolutely gorgeous. It made up for all those people who were mad when the snow came down, down, down just a couple weeks ago. I spent most of my Saturday outside (I know, that is such a shock!) I transplanted some of the daisy crop, into the wild half of my planting bed and in the sculpted side of the planting bed I have added some colorful additions of flowers that so far (day two) have not been attacked by the rabbits. I wanted to get the flowers in the ground before the neighborhood association drops the mulch. The planting beds are separated by a sidewalk at my house. One is just a mass of wild vines of ivy fighting with the gazillions of daisies. While the other side has miniature bushes and sort of a symmetry pattern to it. Last year a friend put in 800 pounds of top soil last year in this bed and I can't begin to tell you how easy it was to dig in the beds to plant the flowers this year. I never hit clay/rock. I was more than happy ... and the weather was grand. Side note: Clyde does not like being outside. He was put on a line so he could run the yard while I was out there. He barked at the door. Guess he wishes it was snowing.

Party Crasher!

The scene was somewhat like this, with seventy five tables packed with women clamoring to be entertained by Jana Stanfield and inspired by Patty Duke at the Coliseum for the 6th annual Tapestry - A Day for Women (and Carbo). I stopped by to see Jana before she opened her set, and I stayed for breakfast and saw the faces of women laugh and cry. I returned to work and processed and thought and did all those work-like functions. At noon, a client had cancelled for lunch, so I returned to break bread with the ladies and hear Patty Duke. She was captivating, she was alive and she was heroic. Of course I needed to return to work to cut checks and go to the bank and the rest of the work-like duties I needed to accomplish, but I was truly grateful to be an outsider looking in on an amazing display of commodity and compassion. This ends my female-focused fund raising week. On to the United Way which closes its campaign May 3 with a giant event. Stay tuned for more not for profit news.....

Tapestry - A Day for Women and Carbo

Since September, I have served IPFW in the role of fund development chair and programming steering committee for Tapestry - A Day for Women. The sixth annual event is held today at the Coliseum. The event is sold out, 750 women will have a day away to hear two speakers: Jana Stanfield, a motivational speaker and singer/songwriter and; Patty Duke, who needs no introduction.

Yesterday I had the luxury of limo ride to and from the airports and hotels, sound checks etc with both of the keynote speakers. If that wasn't icing on the cake, there was a VIP reception last night at Debrand's.

Sidebar: had a s'more at Debrand's that was just to die for. Oh my word, imagine their chocolate bar between graham cracker and their amazing marshmallows. Anywho, while at the reception I was selected as the host for dinner to both Patty, her husband Mike and Jana. We went to the Oyster Bar and had a great meal learned much about the inside track of their life and career. It truly was a magical day and one with great rewards all because I was a volunteer.

This is only a test....

Today was the leadership breakfast for the Girl Scouts of the Limberlost. I was there, were you? I didn't think I saw you, but there were so many people in attendance, it would have been easy to have lost you in the crowd. You know, the Girl Scouts is just not those damn cookies (which I buy a case a year, whether or not I will want them or not). Truthfully, I am not a big rah-rah for male rights, female rights, gay rights, dog rights, lefts and rights. I am really about making the world a better place. Doing my part to make everyone have a better life. Yes, my therapist says this is that flaw that I have not been able to fix. However, many people need a bit of guidance, a helping hand, a support system. Perhaps the Girl Scouts provides this to just one person, perhaps that is a lie. Thousands of girls in our area are connected tighter and closer than a quick game of Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon. I wrote my check to support the cause. It is never to late to write your check to the Girl Scouts. Ever bit we do helps shape the future of our community. Plus, without Girl Scouts, there would be no thin mints! Now that is alarming. Speaking of alarming, the Marriott Hotel needs to do something to make up for the stupid fire alarm that goes off at every event I have been at in their balloon room. Twice during the amazing Girl Scouts breakfast it sounded. I guess this was just a way to say wake up Fort Wayne and do your part to shape the life of a girl.

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

One, two, three strikes and you're out! Out of luck for those who fought the idea and concept of progress in our community. With city council's vote last evening, the Harrison Square project now has a green light. The Harrison Square plan consists of a baseball stadium, hotel, parking garage, retail and condos.

The talking part of the city council meeting lasted almost four hours. It was after 11:00 p.m. when the 6 to 3 vote, Fort Wayne City Council members gave the green light to the Harrison Square project.

Now, whether or not you like this project, the community needs to come together support the decision and work toward solutions of making the offer even better. I have always found that no matter what lead up to the discussion is boxed and sealed when the final decision is made. Collectively we need to work together. Fort Wayne will soon discover that this project has given hope to multiple generations, restored faith in the power of the pen to elected officials and strengthens the hope of living in this community.

Product of the Month

Today I wanted to introduce you to a great new kitchen tool that I found to be fabulous. Ever make a pizza on non-stick pan surface and then have to transfer it some place so you can cut it without eating Teflon?

Thanks to our new friends at Crate and Barrel, you can own this handy dandy Oxo ® Polycarbonate Pizza Wheel. The cost is $10.95. Oxo has reinvented the (pizza) wheel with this modern polycarbonate cutter that's safe for non-stick pizza pans. Beveled edge cuts through toppings and thick crusts, and the slick wheel surface is less likely to stick to cheese. Thumb guard and soft grip protects your hand. Also useful for slicing pastries on non-stick baking pans.
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Polycarbonate wheel
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Zinc thumb guard
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Stainless steel rivet
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Black Santoprene ™ handle
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Dishwasher-safe

Now, go and eat pizza!

Walk this way...

Last night a handful of friends and I went to the Museum's fundraiser at the Willis Home in Forest Park. The four level home which had millions of dollars in renovations (which makes my measly 40k remodel seem like a new bar soap) was showcased. Our evening began at one of their homes where we toasted some wonderful news about the upcoming birth of a baby. We walked over to the home where we proceeded to sweat like we were in a sauna (well, at least I did!) and we grazed on some of the samplings prepared by Splendid Fare. We had dinner reservations at Paula's at 8:30. Well, with the advent of Daylight Savings Time, it was about 9:00 when we realized we may have overstayed our welcome. Perhaps we should not have used the bidet. Hmm. Anywho, we walked back to the house where our cars were parked (again with this late night walking....) We arrived abit after 9 and had drinks, dinner and dessert. Another excellent evening in Fort Wayne. This weekend has nearly felt like a vacation in my own hometown. I have spent the weekend with great friends, had wonderful conversations and I did not have to leave a twenty mile radius. What is in store for Sunday? Well, I am leaving the 20 mile radius ... stay tuned for more Adventures of Carbo (who just celebrated another year of being divorced! Amen!)

Pop a top!

Last night I met up with some friends at Columbia Street at 6:00 p.m. We nibbled on the pizza slices and I drank beer (gasp, I know, it was not a glass of sweet wine or a freakyfruity martini). I think I was asked "who are you ... drinking a beer" or two or three. After the after work crowd left and we were in between crowds we decided to hitch our wagons up to see O'Briens Pub. (Yes, the building on Calhoun just beyond the Oyster Bar.) Oh, the place were some dandy fights have taken place. Well, we arrive, mind you it is 8 now, and the place is all locked up and nearly dark as a skunk - minus the hydroponic light that was growing "herbs". We looked at each other in amazement, like who took my kitkat... so we walked down to the Oyster Bar. Yes, walked in Fort Wayne at night, without a police escort or packin our own heat. We walked in and there was room for us, but we asked if we could sit outside. Sure, why not, so we each grabbed a chair, I took the candle and the salt and peppa', and we sat under the blinking neon sign. We ordered some appetizers, another round or two of drinks and shared stories of horror and life. We were serenaded by a bicyclist who had his jam box strapped in the back. He was 'poetry in motion'. However now it is 10 and my D O G needs to see his pop. Well, he did, but just for a few minutes and I met half of the "our gang" at Schoppoffs, just a stones throw away from my house. We closed the bar down at 2 and I came home. I awoke at 7 somehow, and I went to breakfast at Sara's and have returned home a tad tired, feeling a wee bit older and actually recall the fun times and great conversations. Oh, and for the record over that 8 hour window I consumed 4 beers and a cranberry vodka.

Who ya gonna call?

I have a hunch that journalism is not what it once was cracked up to be. Remember the era of Walter Cronkite, when he spoke he was listened to, like E.F. Hutton?

Well, now I am just about positive a new commercial is in the mix to help promote a certain television network.

It will start out with a black screen. "When you are in need of news, breaking news, you need to turn to NBC! It is the station that mass murders turn to first! For new, information and exclusive video commentary. It is accurate, fast and most reliable of any network"

The horrific happenings at VA Tech, is just hours away from being a media circus. NBC received the package of video, and written correspondence from whom is believed to be the gunman in the mass murder.

This is the first news event to bump Anna Nicole Smith from the lead story, except for that brief Imus event that quickly was put on HO ld.

No, Not Bitch Slap....

Today, April 19, is National High Five day. So, if you did not check your employee handbook, you do not need to report to work. All schools are closed, and there will be no mail delivery.

It truly is a holiday.

The holiday originated at the University of Virginia in 2002, and has since spread across the nation, and around the globe. Mont Sleets, the inventor of the High Five, has finally received his due as this holiday goes for the big 5, high five that is! We salute the man whom without, our holiday would not even exist.

The actual website for the national holiday can be found at: http://www.nationalhighfiveday.com.

So today as you go to work, because you are too chicken to take the day off, when you pass someone in the hallway, hold your hand up high and see if you get a high five. Walk into your bosses office, or a clients office and don't shake hands rather raise your hand high and wait for the appropriate response.

This holiday may seem a bit fresh, and Hallmark has not yet produced a greeting card, but everyone will soon be talking about this holiday loud and clear. Rumor has that Tina Turner could be the spokes model for the high five. Oh, that may be wrong, that again is that bitch slap she so venomously despises.

This man is next!

Don Imus was just the first on the long list, but the keeper of the list, Santa, is soon to be a target. Christmas has been taboo for a few years, with the name of Christ in the title of a holiday it became sure fire for many wackos.

Sharpeton is targeting Santa for his hate language that he has been using for many, many years. Santa has been talking to both boys and girls stating over and over slur and insults.

A boycott or an official replacement for the big bowl of jello man may happen as soon as this summer. Picketers would go to the North Pole, but it is just too damn cold this time of year, so it is on delay.

You ask, "What did Santa do to piss off Sharpeton?", well, Santa repeatedly calls out "Ho, Ho, Ho". As you know, you can't say Ho without being a racist. Santa thinks all kids are sexual deviants. Perhaps it has not been the Rock n' Roll all these screwing up the youth of today.

IMUS strikes again.

The words of Imus must have resonated with the legendary singer Don Ho, who I am certain misunderstood the comments made by Imus as being about him rather than the intend ladies basketball team.

Legendary crooner Don Ho, who entertained tourists for decades wearing raspberry-tinted sunglasses and singing the catchy signature tune "Tiny Bubbles," has died. He was 76.

Though in his later years Don Ho did not have the kind of spark that may be triggered an Imus tirade, Don Ho thought he had been publicly humiliating and because of his Hawaiian color, was a target for a racial hate slur. His passing may be the result of a broken heart.

Don't know much about the late, great Don "Nappy Head" Ho? Donald Tai Loy Ho, who was Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and German, was born Aug. 13, 1930, in Honolulu and grew up in the then-rural countryside of Kaneohe. Ho also became a television star, and hosted the "The Don Ho Show" on ABC from 1976-77. One of Ho's most memorable TV appearances was a 1972 cameo on an episode of "The Brady Bunch." Besides "Tiny Bubbles," his other well-known songs include "I'll Remember You," "With All My Love," and the "Hawaiian Wedding Song." In the final years of his life, Ho's heart problems couldn't keep him away from the stage. He was back performing at the Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel on a limited schedule less than two months after his heart procedure in Thailand. His final performance was Thursday.

It seems to me CBS may have reacted too late to release IMUS, now we have lost the great Don Ho.

Move over, its a man's job....

Today is Cookin' Men! It is a fundraiser for the Parkview Foundation. Tickets are $75.00 per person. It is similar to a trade show, but you receive food samples rather than sales pitches and junk brochures.

This is the fourth year my name has been on the cook list. It is a time when the male prepares the food (or the male is suppose to prepare his own food rather than using the assistance of the lovely wife.) For me, this is a no-brainer. I enjoy to cook and I will prepare my own food tonight. What I have on tap is an "Italian Bomb".

This was first created on Labor Day followed by Carbozo and for the third showing, it will be my speciality at Cookin' Men.

I am pretty excited about this event but I do have a few hesitations also. I am glad to whip up a simple to make, but full of layers that will tempt the pallet. I am excited to see some friends both in the chef category as well as the trade-showees. I am hopeful that the weather holds up. Weather predicted is rain, snow, sleet. Hmm, yes, this post is from April!!!

It is the man's turn to try to whip a meal in the kitchen. I will let you know what happens, tomorrow.

IMUSt not say HO

Well, across the country the word has spread just as fast as the death (alleged) of Anna Nicole Smith, Imus (in the morning) is gone. No, he did not fake his death, rather he lost his job on both radio and tv.

This is because of an off color comment made about some tattooed, black, female basketball players. Perhaps his wording "nappy headed hos" said too much with just three words. The real killer to me is how much more is said to people and the action for discipline is not the same.

Pick up a CD that has the explicited sticker on it, and plan to hear more about a ho than you care to know. Learn how the ho is killed, or beaten or just assaulted. Rap singers make more money with the more vile the song. You don't have to look only at rap music. There is a song by Stevie Wonder, "I Wish" and his lyrics actually say the word too: Looking back on when I Was a little nappy headed boy Then my only worry Was for Christmas what would be my toy Even though we sometimes Would not get a thing We were happy with the Joy the day would bring.

Perhaps what he had said offended someone, but who is not offended anymore? Some people are offended at hearing Sanjya on American Idol. Some people are offended that their tax bill went up. Some people are offended that President Bush is our President. Name a cause and they are offended by something: smoke, PETA, gay marriage, even abortion.

Think of all the unemployed people we could add to the ranks if we did not allow people to say what they felt. Insult, hell, toss them out. Live life, tell a story, whether nappy headed ho or two ton tubby, we lose our freedom of speech when we can only say what Rosie O'Donnell believes is the truth. She is not alone, and she is allowed her voice also. However, let everyone surround themselves with people who say and do as they appreciate to be ethical and moral.

I was never an Imus fan. I am not sure I would have said what he said, but then again, ladies basketball is not a sport. (Ewwwhhh, the letters of hate begin.... NOW). I am sure that somewhere right now Imus is in talks with someone else to retain his services. It probably is not the NAACP, or the Negro College Fun, but I am sure he has a career left in his body.

Bbbbaabburnin up!

How deep is your love? Well, I am sure Barry Gibb is wondering that right now as his home went bursting up in flames. The home was that of the man in black, Johnny Cash.

The home was going through major renovations. I am to assume Barry did not like his country-motif.

The Cash's heirs sold the house to Gibb in early 2006, and he reportedly planned to use it as a vacation home during hurricane season in his adopted hometown of Miami. The Hendersonville Star News said the renovation was in its final stages, and it quoted a friend as saying he planned to move in during the summer. Gibb said at the time of the purchase that he was honored to buy the house and was determined to preserve it to honor the Cashes' memory. Guess the memory of Cash is not of the man, but how Gibb's cash went up in flames. Hate to see money burn.

Debrands is not the answer...

Alright, I have never been good at math problems, and they never seem to apply to anything in real life....

I came across this math story problem and wonder if you can determine the answer:

"A beautiful box of candy cost $20. If the box is valued at $19 more than the candy, what is the candy worth?"

I will give the answer tomorrow...

Brand new bag!

Yesterday, a friend and I jumped in her car about 9:00 a.m. and we went on an adventure ride. No, we were not speeding up and down East State Street, we took to the highway and headed to Chesterfield, Indiana.

I am sure you all have gone there, the mecca of...of... well okay, you have never been there. We went to the small mystic village that was established in 1886. A campus, if you will, of homes and buildings where differently types of clairvoyants, palm readers, and other outreaches of paranormal phenomenons can occur. The monthly fair was taking place and registration was at 10:00. We arrived a few minutes after 10:00 and signed up for a two readings. Our readings would begin at 2:00, so now we had time to kill in Chesterfield. Well, we drove past the liquor store, and saw the gas station under construction, but couldn't feel the pull to stay in the city for a couple hours. We drove past the outlet mall in Anderson, but not much happening there, so we calculated our time remaining, our time to get to and from Indy, and thinking very proudly we just solved our first real life math story problem, we figured we had about one hour and half to eat or shop or both.

We did both! We impulsed shopped at Keystone, power ate the Original Cheesecake Factory and stopped for a soda before arriving back to the campus at 2:00 p.m.

The two readers were much different in their approach. One used translation of the Indian Bright Star on her shoulder (she was a bit off --- the reading and her state of mind). The second reader used numbers and birth dates, plus cards to derive at the conversation. I enjoyed her talk, she shared some ironic information about a friend of mine who ended his life this past week, and that was very moving to hear those comments.

For the $30 we spent, it was a great way to spend the day. Well, okay we spent $30 at the fair, I will need to find out what Crate and Barrel charged me for the packages.

The Cows have left the house

Got Milk? Well, if you do, it is worth much more now than it was yesterday. Recent reports that not only will the price of milk skyrocket, so will eggs and orange juice.

This is because the coalition against breakfast is making sure kids don't start out with breakfast, go to school less wise, and ruin our free society.

This may be the sign from the heavens above that we can start officially eating cold pizza for breakfast. I have always been a big fan of cold food for breakfast. Pizza is alright, but cold pasta rocks the boat and don't put chicken burritos in the refrigerator and expect them to be there come 9am!

I am not too upset about the orange juice gig, I am not a screwdriver or fuzzy navel kind of guy. More of a Cosmo, or a grapefruit martini. But you take away my eggs, well how do you expect me to practice hard boiling them!?! I have never mastered that skill but I sure can make a mean omelet in my Magic Bullet (which you all better have purchased by now).

Gas is going up too, watch for $3.00 bucks a gallon. It is all because those people who floated over to IRAN the other day for their photo shoot.

So, don't get upset at the grocery store when you go past all the breakfast fare, just think that you need to buy more pasta! And if you are making pasta, make a tuna casserole and invite me over haha, and send some home for breakfast for me haha. Kidding, I think!

Ahoy Mate!

Am I the only one who found this bon-voyage picture of the well dressed captured sailors a bit off?

If I sit in my easy chair for more than two hours I look discheveled - clothes wrinkled, grumpy look, crick in the back.

These yo-ho's and a bottle of rum look like they were modeling for Walmart, well at least the lady does. 'Stripe shirt only $3.99". I am just a tad shocked, these marines must be part of a dental hygiene exchange program, they have smiling teeth!! The picture of British navy personnel, seized by Iran, wave to the media after their meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, at the presidential palace in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday.

I am gathering that that actually just took a vacation at the presidential palace rather than being held against their own will unless they have been drugged (with happy gas too), brainwashed or something that would make them the centerfold for J.C. Penny Easter clothing banaza. But that is just my two cents with a twist.

Vote often!

Your opinion counts - no seriously the state of Indiana really wants your opinion! New plates are coming next year and there are four choices. Of course there is the 'in God we trust' that is just a tag for 'I can't drive and I am taking you with me when I die!'

The new offerings of plates are four different interpretations of the Indiana flag. You may vote for your favorite design from April 3 - April 18 on this website or by paper ballot at any BMV license branch.
The winning design will be announced in May and made available to customers in January 2008. The Indiana BMV asks that customers vote only once for their favorite plate design. Here is the link to go to the BMV's user friendly (stop laughing) site: http://www.in.gov/bmv/vote/#.

Results will be shared in May, just about the same time we announce the American Idol. It will be a CRAZY month with voting. Local primaries, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and now the BMV. Only if I could text my vote, but maybe next time we do plate designs.

Heart and Seoul

Last night a friend and I went out to dinner at the new southwestern restaurant "Tokyo Seoul". Which sounds to close to "Tokyo Rose". Ironically, someone working there did look like her. However, this can't be true because she is dead (or so they say, she could be just as alive as Anna Nicole Smith!) Tokyo Rose taunted Allied soldiers in the Pacific during World War II, broadcasting popular music mixed with breathy so-sorry-Yankee battle reports and hints that their wives were cheating on them back home

Well, that really was a sidebar to the reason I am giving you a food update. The restaurant was stark empty at 5:30 p.m. on a Sunday night. My friend and I sat at a white table in a nicely lit, clean room. The restaurant looked Oriental enough but I am not sure I could have discerned Tokyo from Seoul to Chinese but I felt the motif working. The wait staff was very friendly. She asked if I had ever dined here before. I said no, shook my head up and down, for whatever reason I looked like a bobble doll. She recommended the BBQ. We ordered our entrees. I ordered the BBQ chicken, my friend the beef. We ordered a couple pieces of sushi and we soon received our Myso soup. The soup had flavor. I was mighty surprised to enjoy it. If you have not had it -- it looks like water with a few white squares floating in it with green something or anothers.

The meals came shortly after our sushi appetizer, which mine was a spicy crab that was kick ass good. The entrees came to the table in its own oven top. I kid you not, we had to move down in our table because the stove tops took up two seats. Our meal cooked at our table. The wait staff at one point stood there and cooked for an uncomfortably long amount of time. All and all, the meal was good. I understood what I ordered and I liked it. The "free" sample items are a blurr as to what they were. I ate them some where better than others. But definitely a place to try if you like adventure.

A new kind of spa.

I am sure you are like many, who just can't get enough of the life of Anna Nicole Smith. Her death (though many will not believe she has passed) has made national news, local news and water coolers in every office in America.

Well if you saw anything on television concerning the funeral you were one of the lucky ones who got the source from a vendor that was charged as a news crew or paparazzi agencies to gain entry. Charges begin at $2,000 per camera and $5,000 to set up a live feed. Interested parties were told to submit a form with an authorised credit card number before midnight on Thursday (01.03.07) to be allowed through the gate. One photo agency has paid over $15,000 for access to the grounds.

After the service, Anna Nicole's coffin was taken to Lake View cemetery, where she was buried in a tiara and custom-made, beaded gown next to her son, Daniel, who died of drug-related causes last September. Ironically both she and her son were accidentally over dosed. How is this even possible to be on eight to ten different drugs and it to be accidental? So the next step in this three ring circus is to determine (perhaps) who killed these two people. It is believed that the "murders" are connected.

It is safe to say, that this story will continue long after I am dead. The makers of Trim Spa will sponsor the made for TV movie when they can determine who will play the (possibly late) Anna Nicole Smith.